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Michael Jackson to Make Television History on the BBMAs

Michael Jackson is music’s greatest innovator and among the most beloved performers and influential artists of all-time. In this spirit, the Estate of Michael Jackson has created a Michael Jackson world premier experience, live at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, on ABC May 18. This is television history! Michael Jackson like you’ve never seen him before – you do not want to miss it!

Perhaps no musician has made a bigger impact on the music industry than Michael Jackson. He is the greatest entertainer of all time. His use of groundbreaking visual effects, storylines and distinct complex dance routines transformed the music video into an art form as demonstrated by the short film, “Thriller.” The impact of Michael’s inventive short films helped catapult the art of music video into popular culture, and create for the music industry a profoundly effective promotional tool.

Throughout his career Michael popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the “robot” and the “moonwalk,” and he even designed and patented a special pair of shoes to accomplish an anti-gravity move. Through his use of spectacular imagery in his short films and orchestrated stage effects, Jackson launched a new era of innovation in live stage performances that continues to influence countless artists in hip hop, contemporary R&B, pop, and rock and roll.

The Michael Jackson world premiere at the Billboard Music Awards 2014 follows in the footsteps (or dance steps!) of Michael’s most wonderful television moments.

On May 13, Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project features eight new tracks, which the world will be hearing for the very first time on the new album. The first single from the album, Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good,” produced by Michael Jackson, John McClain, Giorgio Tuinfort and Paul Anka, was released last week along with a duet version of “Love Never Felt So Good,” with Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake, produced by Timberlake, Timbaland and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon. The single lit up the iTunes charts around the world, peaking at #5 in the U.S., #1 in 17 countries and #5 in 67 countries. It debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — Jackson’s highest bow since 1995 and fourth-highest debut ever — marking his 49th hit single.

To date Jackson has sold 1 billion records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles on the Hot 100 (a record for a male artist) and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and “Thriller” as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. “Thriller” also holds the record for the most weeks at No. 1 for a studio album on the Billboard 200 chart, with 37 weeks. Jackson won 17 Grammy Awards including 8 in one year, a record in itself, and received 26 American Music Awards, including the Artist of the Century Award.

Fan voting for the 2014 Milestone Award presented by Chevrolet will continue through the first two hours of the awards show, ending at 10pm ET. To vote for finalists Ellie Goulding, OneRepublic or Carrie Underwood go to billboard.com/milestone.

The 2014 Billboard Music Award festivities start with the “Samsung Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2014 Billboard Music Awards,” which will live stream on Yahoo At 6pm ET / 3pm PT. The two hour pre-show, hosted by Lance Bass, Jordin Sparks, Ted Stryker and more, can also be viewed at BillboardMusicAwards.com, Billboard.com, and additional online destinations by embedding the Yahoo Screen media player (available upon request). Fans can check out the full experience at https://music.yahoo.com/programs/billboard-music-awards/.

The “2014 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan are Executive Producers. Larry Klein, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are Producers.

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